citizen science apps – Forests of Memory. Forests of Learning. Forests for Life.

Saskatoon has a well-earned reputation for being a city that notices nature—and every spring, it proves it all over again. From April 24 to April 27, the Saskatoon City Nature Challenge (CNC YXE) invites everyone to take part in a wonderfully simple idea: slow down, pay attention, and record the life that’s already sharing our city.

You don’t need to head off on an epic expedition. In fact, you don’t even need to leave home. With the iNaturalist app on your smartphone, you can listen and observe nature right where you are—your backyard, a sidewalk, a schoolyard, a nearby greenspace, or a favourite park. A sparrow singing from a fence, a dandelion cracking through the pavement, a beetle minding its own business—all of it counts.

Take a photo, record a sound, upload it to iNaturalist, and just like that you’re contributing to a global effort to understand and protect biodiversity. Fifteen minutes is plenty. Curiosity is the only real requirement.

If you’d rather explore with others, even better. As part of CNC YXE, there are four free, guided events, offering a chance to learn, share discoveries, and enjoy Saskatoon and area’s remarkable green spaces together.

🌲 Friday, April 24 – 6:30 PM

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
An evening walk through forest and shelterbelt habitats as spring begins to stir. Expect birdsong, early plant life, and the quiet magic of dusk.

🌿 Saturday, April 25 – 2:00 PM

Memorial Healing Forest between Clavet and Saskatoon
A gentle afternoon of observation in a place of reflection and renewal, focusing on plants, insects, birds, and the details often missed at first glance. This proposed forest area needs an ecological assessment to discover what exists here before planting the trees!

🐦 Sunday, April 26 – 2:00 PM

George Genereux Urban Regional Park
Discover how wildlife thrives in an urban setting, from birds and mammals to tracks, plants, and surprising pockets of biodiversity.

🦆 Monday, April 27 – 6:30 PM

Wetlands, Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
A hands-on wetland adventure featuring pond dipping and a close look at the tiny aquatic creatures that support entire ecosystems.

Whether you’re listening for birds on your lunch break, spotting plants along the sidewalk, or joining a guided walk, the City Nature Challenge is an invitation to look closely and enjoy what’s already here.

Nature isn’t somewhere else. In Saskatoon, it’s right outside—and it’s ready to be noticed.